You cant blame President Rodrigo Duterte for his shallow tears which made some appearance during his visit in Davao City where he comforted the relatives of the traaped victims in NCCC Mall.

Why? Well, he is the “Mayor Emeritus”of that city. He served them for 2 decades and been a father to them through these years.

So when his beloved city bashed by 2 consecutive tragic events, Tropical Storm Vinta,and this NCCC Mall fire you cant really blame him for rushing home like a good father attending to his sick daughter.

On Christmas Eve, President Rodrigo Duterte cries upon hearing the news that no one could have survived the fire in NCCC Mall, Davao City

On Christmas Eve, President Rodrigo Duterte visited the relatives of the victims of a mall fire in Davao City.

At past 3 am on December 24, Duterte, along with Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, comforted the families inside a restaurant where they had gathered since Saturday evening.

It was also where a weeping Duterte broke the news that there is a “zero” chance of survival among dozens trapped in the fire inside NCCC Mall.

IN SYMPATHY. President Rodrigo Duterte cries upon hearing the news that the victims trapped inside NCCC Mall in Davao City have zero chances of survival.

Ralph Canoy, a police officer in the district, told Agence France-Presse that the fire was still going before dawn on Sunday morning.

“The fire started on the 3rd floor, which houses products like fabrics, wooden furniture and plastic ware, so the fire quickly spread and it’s taking a long time to put out,” he said.

He said investigators believed some of those likely killed had been trapped in the call center, which operated 24 hours a day.

COMFORTING RELATIVES.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Christmas Eve, December 24, visited the relatives of the victims of the mall fire in Davao City, which is feared to have killed at least 37 people.

Duterte, along with Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, began comforting the relatives past 3 am on Sunday, inside a restaurant where they had gathered since Saturday evening, December 23.

Media were barred from entering the area, but the President, the mayor of Davao City for two decades, was seen crying as he comforted the victims’ relatives.

Valles told reporters, “We’re helpless, but we have a God.”

In this meeting on Christmas Eve, Duterte broke the news that there is a “zero” chance of survival among dozens trapped in the shopping mall fire.

The victims were trapped inside NCCC Mall, where fire broke out on the 3rd level of its department store at around 9:30 am on Saturday.Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, also the President’s son, said investigators believed some of those likely killed had been trapped in a call center, which operated 24 hours a day

Emotions were high and religious leaders were seen patting the backs of relatives, as authorities wearing Central 911 uniforms assisted those who had to be transported on wheelchairs.

Some 28 employees of Survey Sampling International (SSI) Philippines were trapped inside NCCC Mall of Davao, where the outsourcing company holds office on the 4th floor.

Authorities here did not immediately release official information, although many people on social media have been passing around lists of people possibly trapped inside.

Rappler checked the names on the list by searching these on Facebook, and found that some of these names were tagged in posts written by their friends.

“Before, I was really uncomfortable that she’s (working) there. And now this happened,” wrote one friend of those believed to be missing.

Hours-long blaze

Since the fire broke out at 9:30 am on Saturday, countless of firetrucks have dashed into the disaster scene blasting pressurized water into the mall, which was burning for more than 12 hours.

Rescuers were challenged by dark plumes of smoke as they attempted to rescue lives inside.

Some 10 people were rescued earlier and were sent to hospitals, according to a high-ranking official of the outsourcing company who refused to be named.